3 Earth's Features

World Book's Learning Ladders Earth's features

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Mountain A mountain is a part of the land that stands tall above the rest of the earth. Mountain peaks can reach into the clouds. The higher up a mountain you go, the colder it becomes. Some mountains stand alone, but most come in a long row. Mountains that rise side by side are called mountain ranges.

The peak of a mountain may be covered by ice and snow. The slope of a mountain may be steep. Water from snowmelt flows down the sides of a mountain. Mountain goats have large hoofs to help them climb steep slopes. It's a fact! Mount Everest in Asia is 29,035 feet (8,850 meters) tall. That's as high as 23 Empire State buildings!

Volcano A volcano is a place where hot liquid rock called lava flows out of the earth. Volcanoes also release ash and rocks. Some volcanoes give off lava slowly. Others explode in huge eruptions. A volcano begins as an opening in the earth. Over time, dried lava or rock may build up around it. This gives the volcano its shape.

Ash rises from the opening of a volcano. Rocks erupting from a volcano can leave trails of fire. Melted rock called lava flows down the sides of a volcano. When lava cools, it hardens into rock, It's a fact! In 1980, Mount Saint Helens in Washington state exploded in a huge eruption. Ash fell as far away as Minnesota and Oklahoma.